The Cotswold Guide, Things to do, Places to go and Where to stay

The Cotswolds are defined as the range of limestone hills that run for around 100 miles (150Km) from near Stratford-upon-Avon to near Bath. A steep escarpment known as the Cotswold Edge delineate the region to the north and west from the Severn Valley and the Warwickshire Avon. To the east the city of Oxford marks the boundary and to the south the Thames Valley with towns such as Cirencester, Lechlade, Tetbury and Fairford. The Cotswolds was (rightfully!) designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966.

Also known as 'The Heart of England', the Cotwolds is a region of beautiful gently rolling countryside, scattered with countless picture-postcard villages and hamlets such as Bibury, Upper/Lower Slaughter and Broadway. The areas unifying feature is the Cotswold stone from which the local houses and churches are built. A form of limestone, it is best known for its golden/honey colouring, although this tone varies considerably throughout the region.

Cirencester is the Cotswolds' biggest town – although Cheltenham is bigger, it isn't technically in the Cotswolds as it falls to the north of the hills. The region is also bounded by some of England’s most beautiful cities and towns including Oxford and Bath

The Cotswolds grew up around the wool trade, which dates back as far as the Roman era. It was during the Middle Ages that the area saw the greatest influx of wealth, however, the Industrial Revolution saw the Cotswolds importance diminish.
Today there is once again money in the region but it is largely generated by tourism and wealthy residents - the area is popular with both retirees and second home owners and there is no shortage of holiday cottages in the Cotswolds either